Chapter 5

Longing blue eyes glance out the window as the reflection of the City lights come into view as the stars remain clear in the sky. It’s dark out - the contrast of both Tyranny and Liberty in difference from day and night and somewhere in between.

There’s sadness reflected on the 9 year old girl’s features, exposing the light blue of her eyes as they were illuminated. She glanced down at the clear quartz necklace in the palm of her hand, bringing it to eye level as she hears footsteps approaching. Her emotions quickly stabilise and she dips her head, the glow of colour in her eyes and hair slowly change back to their original shade of a deep blue and pale white . She clenches her palm around the necklace, hiding it and her emotions. It became obvious she had been watching the news channel that’s playing in the background.

In the background the news channel reflects what has been taking place in Liberty - crime scene and yellow tape, the scene focus sets in on the clock, 29th August, 20.00.

Seeing the reflection of Shura on her window panel, she turns.

Hikari: “Why are Glitches attacking, Daddy?” nipping her bottom lip, she scrunches her hand around the necklace, holding it tightly as she tries to control her emotions, her bottom lip starting to quiver.

Shura: “It’s not a Glitch or a Trait this time...from what we know, they’re closer to robots” he taps his lips in thought

“Like there’s something missing” He pauses, glancing back at the tv screen before commenting as he approaches the girl.

“They are not like me or you, Hikari”

Hikari: “Why didn’t you stop them?

If they’re not like me and you, what are they missing?”

Shura: “You know that isn’t how my Trait works”

Shura scoops up the girl, placing her onto his shoulders as he carries her.

Shura: “They’re missing a soul…. I guess, think of them like…” his brow furrows tightly - deep in thought “Like a Shell”

Hikari: “Are they hollow? But they have powers, are they special like us?

- m-maybe we could teach them...

Maybe I can save...” Hikari gets carried away.

There’s silence between them. The tv in the background shows images of bodies being taken away in black bags, including the Glitch they’re talking about who is now confirmed dead - a photograph in a side panel on the news shows the identity of the Glitch.

Shura: “Hikari!” - there’s a moment of anger in his tone, but that’s quickly relieved as he changes the subject.

We can’t change their story. Anyway” - he sighs, carrying her around her room

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“Isn’t it past your bedtime? What story do you want to hear tonight?”

Carrying her, Shura distracts Hikari by tickling the bottom of her feet as she pulls on his bun, causing it to become loose, the bobble falling out of his hair. The necklaces black woven leather necklace dangling in her enclosed hand.

Hikari: “I want to hear about the battle of the city where you became the Mighty Emperor, Daddy” she pretends to make fake muscles on her arms, lifting them in triumph.

Shura: “The battle that split the city?”

Hikari nods her head rapidly.

Hikari: “Yes. Where you banished those evil humans to the district of Tyranny”

Shura: “Why do you like that story so much?” he chuckles

Hikari: “You protect us from those evil humans... Don’t you Daddy? You protect me” her hands tightly wrap around the top of his head, ruffling into his hair, the necklace slips out catching the side of his face.

Hikari’s eyes illuminate a lighter blue, showing she felt safe with Shura, as he plopped her down on her bed. Hikari quickly tightens her grip, stuffing the necklace back into her fist.

Walking over to turn the tv off.

Shura: “They are not a threat any more - I made sure of that. And I will keep protecting you. Now and always.”

He replies as he walks back to the bed and points at her, circling his finger before lightly poking her chest as she falls back into the sheets and laughs.

Shura: “You are the key to my heart, after all.”

Tucking her into bed, he pulls the quilts over her and pushes the sheets in to curve against her small frame.

Shura: “But i think it’s late for that story, how about something else?”

Hikari’s bottom lip pokes out at him.

Hikari: “What about Mommy?”

Shura’s teeth clench as he glared at her, fist curling as his eyes grew darker, more restless, before he exhales - relaxing his features.

Shura: “Now you know not to bring up what never was…” noticing the necklaces black woven leather sticking out from her fist.

Hikari, drop it.

Give it back to me”

Shura uncurls his hand and outstretched it towards her, she frowns, strands of her hair glowing blue with sadness. Eyes flickering their lighter blue colour as she leans up, outstretching her hand towards him as she hands him the piece of clear quartz lined in silver. Dangling the black material from her finger as the quartz sat in the centre of her palm.

Hikari: “But i want to remember the good sometimes”

Shura: “But it’s not something worth remembering... The greatest good is right now.

Now it’s bedtime, go to sleep Hikari”

Hikari: “But Daddy, you haven’t told me a story”

Shura: “I said Goodnight” his tone raises as he stands, hands curled around the necklace, he closes his fist tightly as he walks to the doorway of the bedroom.

Looking over at her, she pulls the bedsheets over her head, tucking herself away, clearly upset.

Shura: “I will tell you the story tomorrow. Promise...”

Shura steps away into the hallway, leaving her alone with her night light illuminating the room, the glow from her hair shining through her bedsheets.

Moving his way through the home's extravagant interior. Dark blues overlook the city through the large panes of glass, his dishevelled reflection peering back at him. Shura glances through his reflection to the city lights as the lights flicker from the busy streets. The moon out in full as stars littered the sky in the distance. Those eyes narrowed to a thoughtful look as he felt the buzzing from deep within his pants pocket. Pulling a cell phone device out, he glances over the screen before drawing it up to answer.

Shura: “Hello Shijiki...”